Bowers Blog

Mar 9, 2018

People moving everywhere...

We have had a lot of people moving around here. From basketball finals, the beginning of Tball season, to continuing ed classes, dance, gymnastics, school and church activities, our calendar has been filled up. I'll let the pictures and videos share the story of the last 3 weeks here.

At some point, Worth said something about "shake it like a polaroid picture." Well, Ellie, of course, having no idea what that meant asked what he was talking about. He pulled up an Outcast video and gave her an education. I ALMOST caught him dancing on the video, but he stopped as soon as I got near.

The girls also decided it would be fun to swim last week, since it was 85 degrees outside. The pool is still very cold, but it didn't seem to bother them:

We made the cover of the February neighborhood magazine thanks to Worth's Christmas decorations. They came in December to take pictures of our decorations and asked us to be their feature family for the February issue. I was completely unprepared for a family photo shoot, but we pulled it together.

Mack looking dapper before his school pictures.

Ellie's team made it to the gold bracket finals and lost in the first playoff game. These girls played so hard and learned so much this year. Go Westside!!

Ellie shooting her free throws. I sadly didn't get many good pictures of the last couple of games.

Ellie tried hard but missed this free throw attempt.

Mack was headed to his first t-ball practice in this picture. So far he has been more excited about the socialization than actually playing ball.

Going after a grounder

Mack throwing the ball and making his coach work for it.

This is what Mack chose to wear for Wacky Wednesday during Dr. Seuss week. He loves to always be in costume just on a regular day, but tell him he gets to dress up for school and he freaks out. Wacky Wednesday was the only day he would participate, and only on the conditions that he could wear Batman attire with other wacky clothing.

The girls and Worth made the newsletter from our Country Club for the Daddy-Daughter dance.

Ellie and Emma still with lip gloss applied. They must have gotten this picture just as the girls walked in.

This was my view from the back porch of my friend Mandy's house. I stayed with her and her family in order to attend a continuing ed course at the Andrews Institute in Pensecola, FL. Mandy and family are currently renting long term on the beach while they build a house in Pensecola.

Mandy works at Andrews, and therefore, had to speak at the conference. She did an awesome job!

This was not a dress up day for school, just this past Monday.

Emma played her playoff game Monday night. She was playing for the silver bracket championship.

She's in motion constantly

Ellie took this video:

They won!! 22-8. Go Westside K-1 team!

Emma and her sweet coaches Coach Morgan and Coach Tucker (Stone)

Since we don't have enough chaos going on, we thought we'd throw a laundry room reno in the mix. These are our new cabinets so far.

The color of the cabinets is Sherwin Williams Felted Wool

new cubbies for the kiddos

Emma had her end of season party and all of the girls got trophies.. These were some cute little girls to watch play basketball!

Mack had his Strawberry Shortcake Social at school today for S- week. He wouldn't pose for a picture with me while we were eating the delicious strawberry shortcake, but as we left I got him to pose for at least a picture of him.

Feb 19, 2018

Winter Break

These pictures actually cover the last 2 weeks. I was lazy last Sunday and never did a blog post.

We are currently in Winter Break here in Valdosta. We thought we'd take advantage of the extra long weekend by heading to Athens to see a UGA gymnastics meet, then over to Augusta to see Worth's grandmother for the afternoon. After spending some time with Granny Rae on Saturday, we headed to Lincolnton to Uncle Jay's farm and spent some more time with the Berryman's minus Aunt Kate.

I was helping out in Ellie's class 2 weeks ago and got to watch them with virtual reality. It was hysterical. The teacher was controlling what they were doing and it was so funny! They went on a dinosaur dig, they went deep into the ocean, and they went into a volcano. Ellie loved it and said it was "super cool."

Ellie is in the pink shirt

I guess Ellie got cold under water, so she put on her jacket.

Ellie's team had yet another win. Emma's team is doing well also.

Mack's Valentine party at school.

Mack, Lane, and Luke. The 3 Amigos

The girls opening their Valentine's gifts before school.

They were so excited about the mini hatchimals they got..

....and the chocolate!

The Gymdogs meet was sold out, but thanks to Tyson we were able to swing a few tickets. Tyson and Worth took Jake, Walker, Ellie, and Emma.

The girls had so much fun. Daddy even caught them a t-shirt!

Hanging out with Granny Rae, Worth's sweet grandmother. She is so precious and is in amazing shape to be in her 90s!

We decided to go grab lunch at Rhineharts Oyster Bar while we were in Augusta. They are famous for their fried shrimp. Mack was not a fan of how the restaurant smelled. He sat like this the ENTIRE lunch, and kept saying (very loudly) "IT STINKS IN HERE!"

After a 4am wake up (just because that is what he does, not because any of us wanted to get up that early) at the Berryman's and a busy morning and lunch, this guy passed out on the way to the farm after lunch.

He quickly woke up when he realized we were back with the cousins again.

These two.

Poor Ellie is really getting too big for these riding toys.

Headed to the pond!

Another Gator full of children (and Jay.)

Daddy and Ellie were relying on team work.

Uncle Jay was in charge of everyone else.

Mack caught a fish! Uncle Jay helped him reel it in while Daddy filmed.

Mack refused to hold the fish. This is as close as he would get, but he was proud!

Feb 5, 2018

Birthday Week

This past week I celebrated a big birthday (kind of,) the work began on our back patio cover, and we had a couple of more basketball wins, and the girls attended the Father-Daughter dance.

On February 1st, I turned 40. I had been completely fine with that number until the weekend and days prior to my birthday. I'm not sure if it was anxiety associated with my approaching birthday, PMS, basketball season insanity, Worth being on call/heart call, or the super moon, (or a combination of all 5,) but I had a rough week! It was emotionally draining. So much so that on the night of my birthday, after eating dinner (which was Zaxby's that Worth picked up,) I didn't even want my birthday cake. I have since eaten several pieces, so no worries there. I couldn't really verbalize what I was feeling, and I'm still not sure why it felt so crazy. I wish I was a good writer and could come up with some good descriptors of how and/or why I felt so weird. It was almost as if a cloud of depression had descended over me. I had to constantly remind myself all day of how thankful I was for all the calls, texts, cards, and FB messages I received. I especially got tons of love from the kids, which always makes me happy. They gave me cards, hugs, and the girls had good behavior all day. Mack was sweet in the morning, but jumped off the good behavior bus pretty early in the day. I'm sure somehow he was sensing my emotional unrest, so he wanted to join in. I really can't explain why I felt that way. I am so grateful for everyone in my life and the life I have, I just couldn't pull myself out of the funk until the following day when my birthday was over. Despite the somber contemplation and reflection, I survived the day. Worth ended up taking me out for a nice dinner sans kids on Saturday night, which was fun and definitely lifted my spirits as well.

Friday night the girls got to go to the father daughter dance at the Valdosta Country Club. They loved getting dressed up and I loved getting them dressed up for the occasion. They didn't stay long at the dance, but they said they had a great time. I thought they looked beautiful. Their dad was a lucky guy to have those two to show off!

In addition to dances, basketball practices and games, they began work on our back patio cover earlier this week. We have been wanting a cover over the area because it gets so HOT in the summer out there that we can't sit out there and enjoy the patio. We will now have a cover with a big fan, lights and most importantly, shade from the afternoon sun beat down. I can't wait until it's finished!